Rauner signs bill lifting ban on industrial hemp
Rauner signs bill lifting ban on industrial hemp
The Industrial Hemp Act will plant the seeds for the growth of commercial hemp production across Illinois.
Rauner vetoes smoking ban for Illinoisans under 21
Rauner vetoes smoking ban for Illinoisans under 21
Chicago’s legal smoking age of 21 would have been expanded statewide under the proposal.
Cook County assessor candidate calls for ban on aldermen serving as property tax attorneys
Cook County assessor candidate calls for ban on aldermen serving as property tax attorneys
The Democratic nominee in the Cook County assessor’s race is voicing support for a ban on city aldermen doubling as property tax appeals attorneys, an arrangement that encourages conflicts of interest.
Pension reform for Illinois is essential, not impossible
Pension reform for Illinois is essential, not impossible
Pension reform is a moral imperative. The alternative is a future in which core services are cut, taxes are raised, and pensioners risk losing what they’ve already been promised as the funds go insolvent.
Sherry Arnold
Sherry Arnold
“I first came here in 1989. I moved for four years out to North Carolina and then came back. I was excited about moving back because my grandbaby was being born. “I thought I’d just retire here. Then all the taxes came. “We’re going to move out by the spring. “My land taxes doubled from...
Tax hikes vs. reform: Why Illinois must amend its constitution to fix the pension crisis
Tax hikes vs. reform: Why Illinois must amend its constitution to fix the pension crisis
Reforming future benefit growth via a constitutional amendment is the only way to ensure the retirement security of government workers, protect taxpayer budgets and fulfill the needs of Illinoisans reliant on core services.
Remedial budget math
Remedial budget math
Hundreds of educators stop paying money to Chicago Teachers Union following Janus decision
Hundreds of educators stop paying money to Chicago Teachers Union following Janus decision
At least 300 Chicago Public Schools employees have stopped paying fees to the Chicago Teachers Union after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled they could not be forced to pay the union just to keep their jobs.
Top 10 recipients of Madigan money
Top 10 recipients of Madigan money
More than 60 sitting state representatives have received money from Madigan over the course of their careers, totaling around $15 million.
Ford Heights ex-mayor charged with stealing $150K from village
Ford Heights ex-mayor charged with stealing $150K from village
One of the state’s poorest communities is already facing enormous financial pressures.
State agency investigates Illinois mom for letting 8-year-old walk dog around block
State agency investigates Illinois mom for letting 8-year-old walk dog around block
A Wilmette mother investigated for letting her daughter walk the dog is only the latest target of Illinois’ vague and overreaching child neglect laws.
Illinoisans will spend less time at the DMV under new law
Illinoisans will spend less time at the DMV under new law
A bill signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner will allow for multi-year car registration.
Illinois jobs growth
Illinois jobs growth
Cursive mandate greets Illinois elementary school students this fall
Cursive mandate greets Illinois elementary school students this fall
Lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto of a 2017 bill mandating cursive instruction in all public elementary schools in Illinois. That measure becomes law this year.